https://www.biotechrep.ir/ Journal of Applied Biotechnology Reports en daily 1 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242571.html SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in late 2019 and rapidly evolved into a significant global health crisis, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Like other respiratory viruses, SARS-CoV-2 depends on specific cellular receptors to infiltrate host cells and initiate the infection process. To effectively combat this virus, it is essential to thoroughly understand the intricate interactions between viral attachment factors and these cellular receptors. This analysis explores the various cellular receptors involved in the infection process of SARS-CoV-2 and examines the complex interactions between the virus and its host cells. We emphasize the critical components that facilitate the virus's entry into host cells and consider potential strategies to modify receptor expression, thereby enhancing susceptibility to infection. Gaining insights into these receptors and their associated components is vital for developing effective animal models, which can significantly aid in research efforts. Ultimately, this understanding will contribute to the creation of targeted therapeutic interventions and preventive measures against COVID-19 and similar viral infections.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242574.html Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming biotechnology, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation across the life sciences. As the complexity and volume of biological data continue to grow, AI-powered tools are revolutionizing how we understand, design, and manipulate biological systems. This review provides a comprehensive examination of how AI is reshaping core biotechnological domains, from drug discovery, protein structure prediction, and multi-omics integration to synthetic biology, genome editing, bioprocess optimization, and personalized medicine. Advances such as AlphaFold, generative models for molecular design, and digital twins underscore AI’s pivotal role in accelerating research, improving precision, and enabling real-time decision-making. The integration of AI with robotics, microfluidics, and lab automation further enhances high-throughput experimentation and reproducibility. In addition to technical advancements, this review addresses ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges, including data bias, algorithmic transparency, and biosecurity concerns. This review also highlights future frontiers such as AI-enabled organoid modeling, foundation models for biology, and sustainable applications in biomanufacturing and environmental biotechnology.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242575.html Introduction: Glucagon is a 29-amino acid peptide hormone with a molecular weight of 3,485 Da. It plays a critical role in increasing blood glucose levels, reducing involuntary gastrointestinal (GI) motility, and facilitating digestion. Intravenous administration of glucagon is widely utilized for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in both pediatric and adult diabetic patients. Furthermore, glucagon is employed as a diagnostic agent in radiological procedures to temporarily inhibit GI motility in adult patients. In this study, we aimed to produce and purify glucagon using the TRX tag in E. coli BL21 (DE3).Materials and Methods: In this study, the glucagon gene, fused with His and TRX tags, was cloned. The recombinant plasmid was subsequently introduced into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells, and recombinant protein expression was analyzed following bacterial culture in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. Following protein expression, an initial purification was conducted through several inclusion body (IB) wash steps, effectively eliminating most protein impurities. In the subsequent step, a Ni-NTA column was employed to achieve further purification, yielding a protein of high purity.Results: The expression and purification procedures were optimized, resulting in the glucagon yield from this study using a shake flask (batch system) of approximately 16 mg/L. To facilitate the separation of the TRX tag from glucagon, enterokinase was employed as a cleavage enzyme. Conclusions: The results indicated that the construct designed to produce glucagon had an acceptable production rate (16 mg/L), as well as enterokinase exhibited non-specific cleavage of the recombinant construct, rendering it unsuitable for this purpose. Therefore, TEV protease should be used as an alternative enzyme for effective tag removal in protein structure.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242577.html Introduction: Catalase is a widely used enzyme with numerous advantages in industrial, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. This study elucidates the characteristics of recombinant catalase hydroperoxidase II (rHPIISeq) from Staphylococcus equorum.Materials and Methods: A synthetic gene of catalase (hpII) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The gene was codon-optimized and cloned commercially into vector pET-15b. Gene expression was performed under 0.5 mM of isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction for 24 hours at 25 °C. The soluble recombinant catalase, rHPIISeq, was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. Its activity was measured at 440 nm using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Additionally, the effects of pH and temperature on the enzyme activity and stability were evaluated by incubating the enzyme across various pH levels and temperatures.Results: The pET-15b_HPIISeq recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The optimized gene of hpII consisted of 1,989 bp and encoded the rHPIISeq protein with a size of 75.22 kDa. The yield of soluble rHPIISeq was 9.73 mg in 1 L culture with 1.5–1.6 g of wet weight bacterial mass. Notably, approximately 90% of the produced protein formed inclusion bodies (IBs). Following partial purification, a 7-fold increase in the purification of soluble rHPIISeq was achieved using 40% ammonium sulfate precipitation, resulting in a purity level of about 60% with a yield of 93.7%. The enzyme exhibits optimal activity at a pH of 7 and a temperature of 40 °C, and it remains stable within a pH range of 6 to 10 at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C.Conclusions: This recombinant catalase is proposed as a mesophilic-alkali-stable enzyme, which is potentially beneficial for industrial applications, particularly in processes under alkaline conditions and a wide range of temperatures.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242579.html Introduction: Allium ursinum (A. ursinum) is a medicinal plant recognized for its wide range of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. Nevertheless, the precise metabolic mechanisms underlying antidiabetic effects remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of A. ursinum hydro-methanolic extract and characterize the associated metabolic changes in diabetic Balb/C mice. Materials and Methods: Hydro-methanolic extract of A. ursinum was prepared, and then its polar and volatile constituents were identified using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, respectively. Forty mice were allocated into control groups (healthy, diabetic + solvent, and diabetic + metformin) and experimental groups receiving different doses of A. ursinum extract. Treatments were administered for 21 consecutive days, after which blood glucose levels were assessed, and the effective doses (ED50 and ED90) were calculated. To assess metabolic changes associated with the hypoglycemic effects, serum samples were analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based metabolomics. Hepatic and renal toxicity were evaluated by enzymatic assay and histopathological examinations. Results: The administration of A. ursinum at tested doses led to a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic mice (160 mg/kg). These hypoglycemic effects were accompanied by notable changes in the serum metabolic profile, affecting pathways such as ketone body synthesis and degradation, D-glutamate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, arginine biosynthesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Importantly, no evidence of liver or kidney toxicity was observed at the higher dose (ED90 = 141 mg/kg). Conclusions: This study showed that A. ursinum has antidiabetic effects and highlighted the role of metabolite changes in diabetes pathophysiology. Hence, the glucose-lowering metabolites identified could be potential targets for the development of future antidiabetic treatments.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242582.html Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance patterns, virulence characteristics, and genetic and epidemiological relationships of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from various sources in hospitals and clinics in the city of Baqubah, Iraq.Materials and Methods: P. aeruginosa isolates (n = 80) were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Eight isolates, selected for diversity, underwent Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Analyses included the identification of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs), antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Mechanism, Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), and Virulence Factors (VFs). A biofilm production assay was performed, and results were correlated with resistance patterns.Results: High resistance rates were observed for the isolates, with the majority being multi-drug resistant: MDR 42.5%, XDR 27.5%, and PDR 10%. The highest resistance rates were recorded against Piperacillin (97.5%) and Polymyxin B (97.5%). Statistically significant resistance was also documented against Cefepime (70%, p = 0.0003) and Meropenem (36.3%, p = 0.013). 100% of the isolates were biofilm producers (68.75% strong, 31.25% moderate). Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between resistance patterns (MDR/XDR/PDR) and the capacity for strong biofilm formation (X squared = 18, p = 0.0004). Using MLST and WGS, the spread of high-risk clones was confirmed: ST-235 (in PA4 and PA18) and ST-244 (in PA7 and PA40). A substantial accumulation of ARGs was identified. Isolate PA 56 (ST-654) carried the most dangerous combination: bla_NDM-1, bla_KPC-2 (carbapenemases), and rmtF (high-level aminoglycoside resistance). The core set of essential VFs (such as the Type III Secretion System (TTSS), Exotoxin A, and Quorum Sensing) was conserved across all eight isolates.Conclusions: Findings confirm widespread Multidrug-Resistant P. aeruginosa in Iraqi hospitals, driven by high-risk international clones and acquired carbapenemase genes. The combination of Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs) in resistance transfer and strong biofilm formation presents a major therapeutic and epidemiological challenge, necessitating strict genomic surveillance and infection control. However, these findings are based on a local, small-scale comparison.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242583.html Introduction: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant pathogen associated with a range of infections, including those of the reproductive tract. Bifidobacterium, a beneficial gut microorganism, has shown promise in various health applications. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic characteristics of GBS among Iranian women with vaginitis. Subsequently, the study explored the anticancer potential of Bifidobacterium bifidum supernatant (BS) against GBS-infected colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) by examining its impact on apoptosis-related gene expression. Materials and Methods: Firstly, the prevalence and genetic characteristics (virulence factor and serotype distribution) of GBS were thoroughly examined among women with vaginitis in Iran. Subsequently, Caco-2 cells were initially infected with pathogenic strains of GBS, followed by an investigation into the anticancer properties of BS on the expression of two apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2 and Casp-3) in these cells at the IC50 concentration. Results: High prevalence rates of GBS (60 out of 235 (25.53%)) were detected. The dominant serotype was Ib (13.33 %) followed by serotype II (8.33%). The most common virulence genes were lmb (100%), pavA (100%), fbsB (100%), fbsA (78.33%), pI-1 (91.66%), and pI-2a (95%). Notably, the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 decreased, while the pro-apoptotic gene Casp-3 increased significantly following BS treatment. Conclusions: These findings strongly suggest the anticancer properties of BS, potentially influencing key cellular pathways that regulate cancer cell survival and apoptosis. However, to gain a more comprehensive understanding and validate the findings, additional research, particularly clinical studies, is essential.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242585.html Introduction: Pneumonia remains an important medical issue, associated with various illnesses and deaths, and is strongly dependent on host defense mechanisms. Polymorphisms in immune-regulating genes may affect the production and secretion of certain cytokines, thereby increasing the inflammatory response during an infection. This study aimed to establish the association between inflammatory cytokines, immune-related polymorphisms, and inflammatory marker expression in patients with pneumonia.Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-two patients with pneumonia and thirty healthy controls were enrolled at Baghdad Medical City Teaching Hospital from March to August 2025. Their serum cytokine and inflammatory marker levels were determined using ELISA. Polymorphisms in the genes IL6, IL10, TLR4, NLRP3, IFN-γ, and CRP were studied using PCR and qPCR.Results: Pneumonia patients (n = 122) had significantly increased IL-6 (118.4 ± 35.7 vs. 16.2 ± 5.9 pg/ml), TNF-α (92.5 ± 28.6 vs. 14.8 ± 4.5 pg/ml), and CRP levels (76.2 ± 20.5 vs. 6.1 ± 3.0 mg/L) compared to controls (n = 30; all p < 0.001) and negative correlations between these mediators and IL-10 (r = -0.45).Conclusions: The immune and inflammatory responses in the patients' bodies are shown to become extensively unregulated and overactive as a result of IL6 and TLR4 cytokine expression and production, which are directly related to the severity of pneumonia.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242589.html Introduction: The increasing environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption has intensified the search for sustainable biofuel alternatives. Oleaginous yeasts are promising microbial sources for biodiesel production due to their ability to accumulate intracellular lipids. This study evaluated lipid production and biodiesel potential of Candida parapsilosis isolated from marine sediments of Khor Al-Zubair, Basrah, Iraq. Materials and Methods: Seawater samples were collected from Al-Faw Port, Khor Al-Zubair Port, and Shatt Al-Arab (Arvandrud in Persia). Yeast isolates were identified morphologically and molecularly using ITS1–ITS4 primers, with 99.60% sequence similarity to C. parapsilosis (NCBI accession PX091468). Lipid accumulation was induced under nitrogen-limited conditions. Dried biomass was quantified, lipids were extracted using Soxhlet with hexane, and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were produced by acid-catalyzed esterification. FAME composition was analyzed by GC-MS, and the cetane number (CN) was calculated.Results: The isolate produced 2.260 g/L of dried biomass and 0.6740 g of extracted lipid, corresponding to 29.81% lipid content. Total FAME yield reached 93.11%. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 69.48%, with oleic acid (C18:1) predominating at 61.79%, whereas saturated fatty acids constituted 23.63%. The calculated cetane number was 61.29.Conclusions: Candida parapsilosis demonstrated substantial lipid accumulation and high FAME conversion efficiency, producing biodiesel-compatible fatty acid profiles with a favorable cetane number. These findings support its potential as a sustainable microbial source for biodiesel production.  https://www.biotechrep.ir/article_242590.html The convergence of molecular pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) has begun redefining prognostic assessment in colorectal cancer (CRC). The recent study by Kareem et al. (2025) in the Journal of Applied Biotechnology Reports underscores the prognostic potential of combined SATB2 and Ki67 expression in predicting progression-free survival among CRC patients. Beyond its biomarker significance, the SATB2–Ki67 axis embodies a paradigm shift in digital oncology, linking chromatin architecture and cellular proliferation with image-based analytics and computational modeling. This commentary discusses how integrating immunohistochemical (IHC) signatures of SATB2 and Ki67 into AI-driven histopathological platforms could transform CRC prognostication, enabling precision risk stratification, digital biomarker scoring, and personalized therapeutic guidance. We further explore how deep learning algorithms, multiplex IHC, and radiogenomic data fusion could optimize SATB2–Ki67–based predictive models for next-generation oncology practice.